Electric switch



Feb. 22 1927.

H. E. SLADE ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Nov. 11, 1926 Patented Feb. 22, 192 7.

UNVITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD E. SLADE, OF GLEN RIDGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO BEAVER MACHIL TE 8c TOOL CO. INC., OE NEWARK, INIEW JERSEY.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

So far as I am aware it has been customary up to the present time to provide small electric switches such as used 1n canopies or wall bracket fixtures with a removable turn button or knob for manipulating or actuating the switch. The drawback to this form of actuating member is the possibility of the loss of the knob and the nconvenience caused therefrom and also it is a relatively more costly'arrangement than that covered by my present invention which consists of producing the actuating member in one piece. It is simple, economical, practical,

and has artistic merit. I 1

One object of the present invention is to provide a unitary construction of insulating material replacing a plurality of metal pieces i. e. in replacing the bakelite key which in itself contains a. steel insert (two parts) and then it also re laces the knurled rass button which must e used in connection with the molded bakelite key..

A further object is to provide a unitary spindle or actuating key and button combmed and manner of assembl of same, the entire piece being of molded, insulating material.

In describing my invention, reference is directed to the drawing whichforms a part of this specification, in which:

Fig. 1, is a crosssectional elevation through the. electric switch and shows the actuating member in position within the switch.

Fig. 2, is a lan view of the switch with cover and insu ating plate removed.

Fig. 3, is a view of the actuating member or key..

Fig. 4, is a plan view of Fig. 3.-

For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have shown in the accompanying drawings one form thereof which is at resent preferred by me, since the same has een found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which myinve'ntion consists can be variously arranged'and organized and thatmy invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referrin to Fig. 2, 1 is a base or bod member '0 the switch and-generally ma e of an insulating material such as porcelain or bakelite and other compounds.

The base 1 is recessed as at 2, the perpendicular sides of which are in the form of cam surfaces 3, 3*, 3", and 3; midway between the cavity 2 and the extreme ends of the base are cavities 4 and 4. Separating the cavities 2, 4, and 4 are projections 5, 5", 5 and 53 forming passages 6 and-6 .Ad jacent the ends are projections 7 7 7", and 7 forming assages 8 and 8.

Associate with the base 1 are lead wires 99" to which terminals 10 are attached. These terminal ends are formed into cam shaped contacts 10 which match with and are held against surfaces 3, 3 of the base member 1. The end of the terminals through which the lead wires 9--9 pass are formed into a U shaped member 11- and clinched over the wire. The U-shaped member 11, and the contact members 10 are connected by a bridge member 12.

The terminals are held from lateral movement in the base by interlockin means. The U-shaped members 11 are he d. incavities H; the cam shaped surfaces 10 are held against surfaces 3*--3"; and the connecting or bridge members 12 are held in passages By rotating the shaft 14 in a clockwise direction, the outer ends 13 of the s shaped contact will alternately be in contact with the surfaces 3-3 of the base and the surfaces 10 .of thev fixed contacts 10, every quarter revolution thus opening'and closing the circuit twice for each full revolution of the shaft. The shaft 14 turns within a. thread-- 1 ed sleeve 15, which is staked to a cover plate 16; This cover plate is insulated from the 17 and the parts are held together by screws 18 passing through the base 1 and into threaded holes in the cover plate 16. A nut 19 is provided for fastening the switch to a bracket.

current carrying parts by a plate insulator The feature of the one piece shaft it is that it may be assembled within the sleeve 15 from the bottom or underside of thecover plate to and is prevented from beinp withdrawn after the switch is assembled by the shoulder ll, which is of such diameter as to rest against the l wer end of the sleeve '15.

As the end t l" is knurled or milled it may be readily gripped between the lingers and easily rot atcd to actuate the moving contact. A further feature is that no further assembliug ot a thumb and finger knob is net-cw sary after the switch is mounted on the livturc.

It? will now be apparent that l have devised a novel and useful constrtu-tion which embodies the l'eaturcs of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description and \Vllllt- I have in the present instance shown and described the preferred embodiment. thereof which has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results. it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification in various particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

What I claim is: i

1. In a canopy switch, a base. stationary and movable contacts therein, an integral ac tuating member comprising a bottom portion adapted to receive said movable contact, an upper handle portion, an intermediate cylindrical bearing portion. and a shoulder juxtaposed to the bottom portion of said actuating member, a cover terminating in a hollow sleeve through which said :urtuatingr member extends and in which said hearing )ortion thereof is journaled: said shoulder abutting against the underside of said cover to prevent axial displacement of said actuating member, the outer portion of said actuating member projecting an appreciable distance beyond said sleeve, an insulating plate ar ranged between said base and cover, and means for securing said base, insulating plate and cover together.

2. In a canopy switch, a base, stationary contacts therein, an S-shaped movable spring contact therein, an integral actuating member con'iprising a bottom portion having a slot to receive said movable spring contact, an upper handle portion, an intermediate cylindrical bearing portion. and an annular shoulder juxtaposed to the bot-tom of said actuating member, said slot terminating immediately adjacent said shoulder, a cover terminating, in a hollow sleeve through which said actuating member extends and in which said bearing portion is journaled; said shoulder abutting against the underside of said cover to prevent longitudinal displacement of said actuating member, the outer portion of said actuating mcmbcr projecting an appreciable distance behaving an inner portion opcratively engagyoud said sleeve. an apertured insulation plate arranged between said base and cover, said shoulder having a bearing in said insulating: plate, and means for securing said base, insulating plate and cover together.

it. A rotary switch, including a housing. oppositely disposed stationary contacts thercin in electrically insulated relation to each other. a movable contact internuuliatc of said slationary contacts, an aperturcd cover superimposed upon said housing to enclose the saute. and an integral actuating spindle o'l' insulating material extending through said cover, tuierutively engaging said movable contact and having a shoulder for retaining said spindle against axial displacement.

t. A. rotary switch comprising a housing and a closure therefor. stationary contacts therein in clm-trically insulated relation to each other, a movable contact opcratively interposed between said stationary contacts having a contacting and a non-contacting; position relative to said stationary contacts, an actuating, spindle of insulating material ing said movable contact having, an outer bundle portion extending beyond the housing. and having a shoulder intermediate of said housing and closure, coacting therewith to retain said spindle against axial displacement.

5. A. switch of the character stated, including a two-part housing, stationary contacts therein in electrically insulated relation to each other, a movable contact therein disposed in operative relation to said stationary contacts and having a contacting and a non-contact ing position relative thereto, an integral actuating spindle of insulatinn material extending, into said housing and having an inner portion operatively engaging said movable contact, an outer handle portion, and having a shoulder intermediate of the two parts of said housing coacting therewith to retain said spindle against axial displacement.

6. A switch of the character stated, comprising a. two-part housing; one of said housing parts being aperturcd and having an elongated external sleeve surrounding the aperture thereof, and externally threaded, stationary contacts within said housing in electrically insulated relation to each other,

a i'uovable. contact member within said housing disposed in operative relation to said stationary contacts and having contacting); and non-contacting positions relative thereto. an integral actuating spindle oi insulating material extending through and journalcd in said external sleeve, having;' an inner slotted portion operutivoly engaging said Il'lOVllblG contact, an outer handle, portion extending beyond the sleeve and having an annular shoulder intermediate of the two parts of the housing and coactmg therewith to retain said spindle 7. switch of the character stated, in-

elndin; a two-part housing. Stationary eontarts therein in electricallyinsulated relation to each other. a movable (ontart nieniher therein disposed in operative relation to :-aid stationary eontacts and having a conlaltingj and a non-contactiu; position relative thereto, an integral actuating spindle of mannin material extending into said housing, having an inner slotted portion operatirely engaging said niovalile contaet. hy the seatin; of the latter in said slot ol the former, haying an outer handle portion and harin; means integral therewith disposed intermediate ol' the two parts of said housin; and ('(Hltlllltf therewith to retain said spindle against axial displacement.

.8; A switch of the character stated, ineluding a two-part housing, comprising an insulating base and an apertured metallic closure therefor, stationary electrical contaets disposed within said base in electrically insulated relation to each other; a. movable electrical contact disposed within said base in operative relation to said stationary contacts and having a contacting and a noneontacting position relative thereto, an externallythreaded hearing sleeve carried by said metallie closure in alignment with the aperture thereof, an integral artuating spindle of insulating material extending througrh said sleeve and journaled therein, having an inner slotted portion operatively engaging said. niovahle contact, having an outer handle portion extending beyond the sleeveand havin; a laterally extending annular flange heneallr and inunediately adjaeent to said metallic closure, and eoaeting therewith to, retain said spindle against an outward axial displacement, thereof, and an apertured insulating plate intermediate of said base and metallic closure of the honsin".

HAROLD E. SLADE. 

